The Grand Paris Express is the new Metro system that will connect the main living and working areas in the suburbs without passing through Paris. This project, which is designed to improve connectivity in the Paris region and shorten journey times, is being managed by the Société des grands projets.
A part of this project includes the building of line 18, which will consist of 35 km of track and 10 new stations at completion stage, connecting Versailles – Chantiers to Orly Airport via Massy–Palaiseau. Line 18 is expected to be faster than current metro lines of the historical Paris’ metro network, with average speeds of 55 to 65 km/h, providing a swift mode of modern transport and 110,000 daily trips.
This major infrastructure project aims to improve mobility in the region, to enhance connectivity between major transit and academic centres and to support economic development.
Pandrol’s engineering team worked closely with Alstom, on behalf of the Société des grands projets, to ensure all the proposed solutions met the project’s rigorous testing standards and criteria. We also ensured alignment with strict deadlines to avoid any delays in the overall project timeline.
One of the main challenges on this project was minimizing load and ensuring stability on the 6.7 km elevated viaduct section. This required careful consideration of long-term durability as well as demanding solutions that are lightweight on the track yet able to withstand the loads of the metro.
Excessive loads can increase stress on the supporting foundations, resulting in regular maintenance and wear of the viaduct and track. Therefore, Pandrol’s proposal was to provide lightweight fastening solutions to reduce load on the structure and minimise environmental impact.
Consequently, Pandrol designed and supplied a plastic baseplate version of the SD rail fastening system for the viaduct section: the SD-SEE (“Simple Etage Elastique” – single resilient system) rail fastening system.
Pandrol delivered 37,700 SD-SEE rail fastening systems for the 6.7 km viaduct section, using composite baseplates, which streamlined the installation process.
While composite baseplates are commonly used for tramway applications, this project marks the first time they have been used on a metro application in France.
The honeycomb-shaped specific design of the SD-SEE baseplates enhances grip and integration into the concrete plinths, offering more efficient installation while optimising the installation times on the viaduct.
Pandrol also supplied, for the 14 km of the tunnel section, a total of 192,800 Safe Driven (SD) units, our pre-assembled high performance screwed fastening solution designed for concrete sleepers. This system was selected for its ease of installation and low maintenance requirements, while also helping to reduce distribution and handling costs during track laying.
Line 18 required a range of product solutions and Pandrol was selected due to its ability to deliver a comprehensive, end-to-end offering that met all technical and operational requirements for this demanding project.
The combination of the Safe Driven (SD) rail fastening systems and the SD-SEE rail fastening systems provide a highly effective and efficient solution that meets the strict performance requirements of the Paris Metro.
Line 18 will offer both an environmental and practical alternative to using cars and is set to be a popular and effective addition to the Paris Metro network and Île-de-France public transport system.
The line will be brought into service in three successive stages and will be completed by 2030.
Philippe Matuch, Sales Director France at Pandrol, said: “We’re proud to have supplied innovative fastening solutions for the Grand Paris Express project, ensuring a reliable and durable track infrastructure for metro line 18. Our fastening systems are designed to reduce maintenance and streamline installation, supporting the efficient construction and ongoing operation of this transformative line.”
